Safety: Front Engine Vs Mid
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 799
From: East Lansing, MI
However, the crash tests we see on line are almost all from the non-govenment IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and often lead the government standards in establishing new levels of safety in collisions. I haven't seen results for Corvettes, probably because they are relatively low production vehicles. You won't see IIHS testing Lambos, either.
You also sometimes see the European tests.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,009
Likes: 2,707
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Maybe, maybe not.
On the C6 and C7, the windshield and it's frame are strong enough to meet the federal rollover standards for sedans. C8 is probably the same.
But those federal standards are pretty wimpy. Most C6/C7 coupes that have rolled, show the ws frame and halo as distorted but still holding up. Most 'verts are flattened or nearly so.
When the C8 vert was first being discussed, I recall someone posting that it would still rely on just the ws frame for rollovers. If so, that sucks.
On the C6 and C7, the windshield and it's frame are strong enough to meet the federal rollover standards for sedans. C8 is probably the same.
But those federal standards are pretty wimpy. Most C6/C7 coupes that have rolled, show the ws frame and halo as distorted but still holding up. Most 'verts are flattened or nearly so.
When the C8 vert was first being discussed, I recall someone posting that it would still rely on just the ws frame for rollovers. If so, that sucks.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 426
Likes: 197
From: Boston
this is why I use high temp fluid and track pads and test my ability with a car before I do any HP mods. As they say “sometimes you have to slow down to go faster on track”.
after a near death collision for me and the other driver I hit while enjoying while speeds on a twisty local road I now keep the spirited driving for the track. I still miss my S4 and curse the guy I hit but in the end these cars are made for the track.
Last edited by ShadyVette; Jan 31, 2021 at 05:22 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 930
Likes: 333
From: Sherrills Ford North Carolina
When I was young, I drove VW's as they was cheap to drive and repair. I had a 1971 VW van and I joked that my knees provided the only crash protection. I drove that van across the country 3 times. The last trip I towed my 1957 VW bug. No knee injuries.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,119
Likes: 799
From: East Lansing, MI
I drove one for a friend a couple of times, and it was so underpowered that it would slow down on the expressway if you got to an overpass that required a change in elevation.
Corvette doesn't have that problem on inclines and probably gets better MPG as well.
Last edited by fsvoboda; Jan 31, 2021 at 05:57 PM.
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Race Director
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10,909
Likes: 2,701
From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
The biggest safety concern with the C7 and the C8 is not the location of the engine. It's how low to the ground the cars are to the ground. In an accident with any full size car, SUV, pickup truck, etc. the Corvette is going to come out the looser because those vehicles will ride right over the strong sub frame and right into the flimsy aluminum passenger compartment.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 930
Likes: 333
From: Sherrills Ford North Carolina
Those VW vans were frightening if you thought about it. Driver was at the front of the car as you mentioned.
I drove one for a friend a couple of times, and it was so underpowered that it would slow down on the expressway if you got to an overpass that required a change in elevation.
Corvette doesn't have that problem on inclines and probably gets better MPG as well.
I drove one for a friend a couple of times, and it was so underpowered that it would slow down on the expressway if you got to an overpass that required a change in elevation.
Corvette doesn't have that problem on inclines and probably gets better MPG as well.
Oh yeah,... My corvette probably does get better gas millage then my VW van did. But the VW's radio sounded better!
